25th Destroyer Squadron

The 25th Destroyer Squadron (DESRON-25) is one of the two destroyer squadrons in the Pakistan Navy and is part of the six total squadrons in the fleet. It is the largest squadron in the navy, second only to the 9th Auxiliary Squadron in terms of ship count and the largest squadron by role. It comprises a fleet of various destroyers, including ''Tariq''-class destroyers, ''Yarmook''-class corvettes, ''Tughri'', and ''Zulfiquar''-class frigates. The Squadron previously operated a fleet six ''Tariq''-class destroyers tasked with various roles, including anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare. The squadron is responsible to the Fleet Command, operating under the commander, Pakistan Fleet.

The 25th Destroyer Squadron is one of the primary surface fleets of the Navy, alongside other operational squadrons such as the 9th Auxiliary Squadron – comprising nine ships, the 10th Patron Squadron – which includes missile boats, the 21st Auxiliary Squadron (AUXRON-21); responsible for survey and dredging operations in area of responsibility (AOR) at sea, the Fast Patrol Craft Squadron, and the 18th Destroyer Squadron. They are officially referred to as the surface warriors.

History

The formation date of the 25th Destroyer Squadron is not widely documented. However, the squadron operated a UK-built ''O''-class destroyer HMPS ''Tughtil'' in 1950 and a US-built ''Gearing''-class destroyer PNS ''Tughtil'' in 1980. The squadron later operated a fleet of Type 21 frigates, which were acquired from the United Kingdom and inducted into the navy between 1993 and 1995. Since their induction, these ships underwent modernization upgrades, incorporating advanced weapons and sensor systems to enhance their capability in modern naval operations.

Active ships

The 25th Destroyer Squadron currently consists of the following ships:

* PNS ''Tabuk'' – It is ''Yarmook''-class warship equipped with advanced weapons and sensors designed to operate under various maritime threats. She is commanded by Captain Irfan Bashir TI(M). She has been registered with the Pakistan Navy since 2020, according to MarineTraffic.
* PNS ''Shah Jahan'' – It is a large frigate of the navy, measuring 134.1 meters in length. It operates with a crew of 169 personnel. She is built by the China joined the Pakistan Navy in June 2023. She is currently commanded by Captain Mubashir Nazir Farooqi. As part of the 25th Destroyer Squadron, she operates in the North Arabian Sea, focusing on safeguarding international shipping lanes.
* PNS ''Tippu Sultan'' – Tughril-class frigate is a Chinese built ship with a displacement of 4,200 tonnes and is 134 meters long with a 16-meter beam. Powered by a combined diesel and diesel system (CODAD), it uses four Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC diesel engines, each producing 5,700 kW of power. This setup allows the ship to achieve a speed of 27 knots and travel up to 8,025 nautical miles on a single journey. The frigate is staffed by a crew of 165 personnel. It was inducted in the navy in July 2023. She is regarded as one of the leading ships of the 25th Squadron.
* PNS ''Alamgir'' – It joined the 25th Destroyer Squadron on 31 August 2010 after being transferred from Mayport, Florida, USA to Pakistan. It is a multi-mission frigate equipped with a Z9EC helicopter.
* PNS ''Aslat'' – It is a ''Zulfiquar''-class frigate, inducted into the 25th Destroyer Squadron in 2013. She is commanded by Captain Muhammad Azhar Akram. PNS Aslat operates with a crew of 280 personnel.
* PNS ''Khaibar'' – It was inducted into the navy in November 2022. While the full specifications of the Pakistan MILGEM-class ships remain unknown, PNS ''Khaibar'' is reportedly equipped with a 16-cell vertical launch system (VLS) positioned behind the main gun, as well as MBDAs. The ship is also equipped with an Alouette helicopter.
* PNS ''Tariq'' – As part of the MILGEM project, she was inducted in navy in August 2023. She has a displacement of 2,926 tonnes, with a length of 108.2 meters, a beam of 14.8 meters, and a draft of 4.05 meters. It is powered by a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system, allowing the ship to reach a maximum speed of 31 knots. The vessel has a range of 3,500 nautical miles and can operate at sea for up to 15 days without resupply. It is crewed by a complement of 93, with an additional 40 personnel for specialized roles.

Former ships

* PNS ''Tariq'' – It was equipped to perform various roles, including anti-submarine warfare. It was also armed with exocet surface-to-surface missiles for engaging enemy ships. She was inducted in navy during the period of prime minister Benazir Bhutto and participated in the Falklands War. The ship was active from 1993 until decommissioned in August 2023.
* PNS ''Babur'' – Inducted in 1993, it was the lead ship of the Type-21 frigate class. It served as the flagship of the Pakistan Navy and participated in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and 1971. It was maneuverable, capable of reaching a top speed of 30 knots in just 60 seconds. The ship was active from 1993 until decommissioned in 2014.
* PNS ''Khaibar'' – It was primarily equipped for anti-air warfare (AAW) and ASW, with limited anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability. The ship was active from 1994 until decommissioned in 2022.
* PNS ''Badr'' – It was equipped with modern weapons and sensor system. The ship was active from 1994 until decommissioned in 2014.
* PNS ''Shah Jahan'' – The ship was active from 1994 until decommissioned in 2021.
* PNS ''Tippu Sultan'' – It was a guided missile destroyer, commissioned in 1994. It underwent significant engineering modernization at the PN Dockyard, completed by the end of 2008.

Notable commanders

Throughout its history since 1950, some of its commanders became chiefs of the Naval Staff and many others served as commander Fleet and commander Karachi.

Many Pakistani admirals, including Faisal Abbasi, Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, and Naveed Ashraf were promoted to the rank of admiral. Abbasi became the commander Karachi. Ashraf was appointed as the 23rd chief of the Naval Staff. Zafar became the 16th chief of the Naval Staff.

References

{{coord missing, Pakistan

Destroyers of Pakistan
Military facilities of the Pakistan Navy